Tuesday, May 6, 2014

CATHOLIC EDUCATION WEEK MESSAGE-LA SEMAINE DE L’ÉDUCATION CATHOLIQUE

‘I am among you as one who serves.’ (Luke 22:27e)

This is a good occasion to give thanks to the Lord for our publicly-funded Catholic school system and to thank all those who collaborate to make Christ known and loved in our midst through our Catholic schools.

The theme of this year’s Catholic Education Week is Serving in the Love of Christ with distinct themes for each day (Monday - Serve with faithfulness, Tuesday – Serve with humility, Wednesday - Serve with compassion, Thursday – Serve with justice, Friday – Serve with joy).

Our English-speaking Catholic student trustees have taken the initiative to arrange that a Mass be celebrated on Wednesday, May 7 in each Ontario Catholic secondary school. They have received a message of support from Pope Francis for this initiative! I will be celebrating that day at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Russell, while Bishop Riesbeck will celebrate at St. Maurice Parish with his alma mater, St. Pius X Secondary School. Cardinal Collins will celebrate a Mass for the francophone Catholic student trustees gathered in Toronto.

Let us pray for all those engaged in the challenging task of handing on the faith and infusing the whole learning system in our schools with gospel values.

Parishioners who are parents of school-age children are encouraged to enrol their children in our Catholic schools and all parishioners to verify that they are listed as Catholic School supporters on the tax rolls. Unfortunately, if one moves, the default position, unless one insists on being listed as a Catholic school support (English-speaking or francophone), becomes that of the “English Public” system.

I am very pleased to see the desire of our young people in the Catholic School System for the Mass and the ethusiastic support they have received from our Catholic Educators and pastors in making this happen. What a wonderful testament to our shared Catholic Faith.